Promoting Use of EMS

Performance Track facilities receive public recognition, regulatory and administrative flexibility, and low priority for routine inspections. They can also build collaborative relationships with regulatory agencies. To participate, companies must have an EMS in place, demonstrate a consistently strong environmental performance, and commit to making further environmental improvements.

Of the approximately 300 Performance Track facilities nationwide, 35 facilities (covering 63 locations) are located in New England. These New England Performance Track facilities have committed to approximately 140 environmental improvements over the course of their participation in the program. They are already seeing the environmental and economic benefits of implementing an EMS. Over the past three years, the facilities have committed to 140 environmental improvements that are above and beyond what is required by the law. Among the results: 11 facilities have made commitments that will result in a reduction of total solid waste generation by nearly 8.3 million pounds -- a 9.9 percent reduction over previous levels; and 12 commitments will result in a reduction of total energy use by 5.6 million BTUs, the average energy use of 54,000 households.